The Siberian Husky is an outgoing, fun-loving dog. He is lighter in build than the Alaskan Malamute, and also less bold. But he still requires an alert owner who stays in control, as the Siberian’s nature is to roam and explore, as his Arctic ancestors did.

The breed was developed by the Chukchi tribe of northeastern Asia as a sled dog, and had to pull sleds for the tribe over the vast, frozen countryside in search of food.

Siberian Huskies appeared in Alaska early in the 1900s, and were used for Arctic expeditions. They were also part of the Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit during World War II. The Husky has a double coat, and when the soft undercoat sheds, it “blows.” That is, it comes out in fuzzy clumps all over. Brushing every day during these times is a must. The coat is medium length and soft. All colors are permitted. Siberians have brown or blue eyes, and sometimes one of each.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance:  Friendly, interested, mischievous; a medium-sized working dog, quick and light on his feet, graceful.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height—males, 21 to 23¹/₂ inches at the withers; females, 20 to 22 inches. Weight—males, 45 to 60 pounds; females, 35 to 50 pounds.

Fun Facts

Of all the races Siberian Huskies have run, none was more important than the Nome Serum Run of 1925. This was a race for life. There was an outbreak of the fatal disease diphtheria in Nome, Alaska and doctors quickly ran out of the serum that could save lives and stop the spread of the disease. No planes were available to take the supply of fresh serum from Nenana to Nome—a distance of 658 miles. The trip normally took 25 days by sled. Dogs and men worked together night and day in relay teams. Miraculously, they managed the trip in just five and a half days.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.